Free Consultation
$0 first 15 minutes
Steven Alan McKinley
About Steven
Biography
Steve is a third generation, native San Diegan. He graduated "With Distinction" from San Diego State University in 1976, and married his law school sweetheart, Karen, shortly after the award of his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Diego in 1979.
Steve's grandfather and father were both local real estate brokers, so he was only following family tradition when he obtained his real estate salespersons license at the age of 19. These family roots served as the inspiration for his career-long devotion to the practice of real estate law, with emphasis in land use and acquisition, development, construction, and broker liability.
Steve and Karen are the proud and devoted parents of four children. Steve spent over fifteen years coaching and managing his sons in Little League and Senior League baseball, and organized and managed "16 and under" and "18 and under" travel clubs that competed in World Series and other championship tournaments throughout California, Colorado and Arizona. His two older sons played on San Diego CIF Championship baseball teams for Francis Parker prep school in 2001 and 2004.
Early in his career Steve was a prosecutor, and later progressed to the Civil Litigation Division for the City Attorney of the City of San Diego before joining the Firm in 1983. His career highlights include winning a ruling against a public utility that resulted in an award of $45 million in favor of the City fo San Diego (1984 dollars); co-chairing an eminent domain trial that resulted in a $42 million jury verdict in favor of a major developer; and obtaining more than $8 million in a construction defect case against subcontractors.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 300-400 per hour
Contingency
25%-40%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 46 years
State: California
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Licensed in Nevada for 30 years
State: Nevada
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Location
McKinley LLP
402 W. Broadway, Suite 1815, San Diego, CA, 92101
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Steven Alan McKinley's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
6 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (6)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Rob | August 21, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate
100% trustworthy, the best and most skilled
Steve McKinley has been my family's real estate lawyer in San Diego since the mid 1980s and he remains my real estate attorney today. He is the best, and a great litigator. I would not go into a serious legal real estate or business related matter without him on my team. Steve has won cases that seem...
Posted by Peter | July 09, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes
A very skilled, detailed and persuasive litigator.
Steve represented us in a very long drawn out eminent domain action vs the city. While we settled our case, our neighbor also was involved with the matter and his case went to trial. After 5 months, Steve prevailed against the city and their three lawyers. As a witness testifying in our neighbors ca...
Posted by Mike | July 03, 2013 | Land Use & Zoning
Praise for Steve McKinley
Steve and his partner helped us with a tricky zoning enforcement issue. They did a lot of research for us and got us to a good settlement. They are helpful, professional but down to earth, experienced, and smart in government relations issues.
Posted by Dan | July 02, 2013 | Corporate & Incorporation
I highly recommend Steven A. McKinley
He has been both the corporate attorney for Barry Estates, Inc. and my personal attorney for over 27 years. He is exceptionally bright and knowledgeable in real estate law. Instead of being arrogant, he is unassuming, polite, and wins his cases by making very impressive presentations as to why the co...
Posted by Barbara | July 02, 2013 | Real Estate
Steven Alan McKinley
Mr Steven McKinley is the best lawyer I have ever used started using him in 1986 and will continue to use him...I have used a lot of Lawyers and none can compare to this Attorney I use Mr McKinley for Real Estate, personal injury, and probate, my late husband and I used Mr McKinley for a lawsuit...
Steven Alan McKinley's Lawyer Endorsements
No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't received any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.
No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.
Experience
Honors
2019
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Top Lawyer, San Diego Magazine
2013
Top Lawyers in California, American Lawyer Media
2013
Top Lawyer, San Diego Magazine
2012
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2008
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2007
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2006
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2005
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2004
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2003
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2002
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2001
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2000
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1999
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2011 - Present
Managing Partner, Freeland, McKinley, & McKinley
1988 - Present
Partner, Asaro Keagy Freeland & McKinley
1981 - 1983
Deputy City Attorney, City Attorney San Diego
1979 - 1981
Associate, Dorman & Dorman
Associations
2005 - Present
San Diego County Bar Association, Real Property Law SectionMember
1996 - Present
Nevada State BarMember
1979 - Present
California State BarMember
1979 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationMember
San Diego County Board of Realtors
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Brown v. FSR Brokerage
Red Mountain, LLC v. Fallbrook Public Utility District
Manderville v. PCG&S
Bay Development, Ltd. v. Superior Court
Mira Development Corp. v. City of San Diego
College Area Renters & Landlord Assn. v. City of San Diego (1996)
Education
1979
University of San Diego School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1976
San Diego State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Update on Real Estate Broker Law
Real Estate Broker Case Law
Publications
2014
West Group publication
Thoryk v. San Diego Gas & Electric Company
2013
Rancho Santa Fe Review, Volume 32 Number 46
(Re: Lafornara v. RDA) RSF attorney wins $1.99 million settlement from city for clients
1990
West Group publication
Bay Development Ltd. v Superior Court
1982
Criminal Justice Journal
Proving a Violation of Vehicle Code Section 23152(b): Rabbit Tracks in the Snow or Russian Roulette?
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers